Julie Graves, MD, MPH, PhD

Biography

Julie Graves teaches epidemiology to medical students in St. Kitts and practices family medicine in Texas. She earned a BA in Biology/Physical Education from Rice University, an MD from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, and an MPH and PhD from the University of Texas School of Public Health. She did an internship in general surgery at Parkland Memorial Hospital, trained in anesthesiology at the University of Florida, and completed residency in family medicine at St. Paul Medical Center in Dallas then a fellowship in faculty development at the McLennan County Medical Education and Research Foundation in Waco, Texas.

Dr. Graves has taught in family medicine, occupational medicine, and preventive medicine residency programs, has taught public health, medical, nursing, and midwifery students, and has developed clinical practice guidelines for medical organizations and government. She served as medical consultant to the Texas Department of Health in infectious diseases epidemiology and surveillance, Medicaid, WIC, and Title V programs and as investigator and monitor for the Texas Medical Board.

As Medical Services Coordinator for the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services Dr. Graves led quality improvements of medical care in state facilities for people with disabilities, then served as Regional Medical Director for the Texas Department of State Health Services for the Houston area. She has served in leadership positions in the Harris County Medical Society, the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association Resident Physicians section, and on the American Public Health Association’s Science Board, Joint Policy Committee, and Executive Board (ex-officio).

Dr. Graves has published numerous medical journal articles and textbook chapters and is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She was awarded the C. Frank Webber Award for Excellence in Oncology from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Academy of Family Physicians, is a member of the Texas Public Health Association, is Adjunct Associate Professor of Management, Policy, and Community Health at the University of Texas School of Public Health, and has practiced medicine in Texas, Florida, Germany, Sint Maartin, and on a cruise ship.

Candidate Statement

APHA’s Governing Council holds the critical responsibility for enacting policy, and is our members’ voice, speaking for us so that APHA policy reflects the views of those who practice public health every day. The role of Speaker, to me, is not about the content of policy, but about the process, about being sure that everyone is engaged, heard, listened to, and that we follow our rules. Leading meetings, using Robert’s Rules of Order as standard practice, ensuring everyone is heard – these are the ways I work as manager, teacher, and board/committee chair, at APHA and in my daily work.

I've served as chair for committees of the Texas and Harris County medical associations and Texas Academy of Family Physicians, for hospital medical staff sections, the PTA, and medical school committees, and been a member of houses of delegates at Texas Medical Association and AMA, and am a member of our Texas affiliate, so I am respectful of how hard it is to do policy well in large groups, for those members of the organization who aren’t affiliated with a group and who passionately want to change policy, for delegates representing members, and for organizational leadership. At APHA I’ve chaired Science Board, co-chaired the Joint Policy Committee, and served ex-officio on Executive Board, gaining enormous respect for the membership’s wisdom and our policy process. Good policies are submitted each year, and members give their time and expertise so that our policy foundation is evidence-based, sound, and representative of the members’ view. As Governing Council Speaker I pledge to keep my personal views about any policy out of the process, to follow the rules, and to aim during every discussion and every part of the process to ensure that all voices are heard and we achieve the conclusion that the members want.